The original of Gatwick's two terminals has expanded to handle the burgeoning traffic - over 32 million people currently use the airport each year - and has made a decent job of it.

The South Terminal handles American Airlines, Continental, Northwest, US Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights and others. Business Class passengers get 'Fast Track' treatment, but the South Terminal is still overwhelmingly geared to the leisure traveler. Gatwick is quietly trying to shake off its package holiday image but a terminal which counts a bookmakers among its shopping franchises has some way to go.

Airlines at the South Terminal.

The Departures and Arrivals areas are housed on the same level but do not impinge on each other's facilities. The Departure check-in arrangements are good with overhead TV monitors and clear signs at each entrance. At busy times some of the check-in desks could do with more space as long lines of waiting passengers can mix with others from desks opposite causing some confusion. But that's a minor quibble and generally the system works fairly well.

One of the South Terminal's main attractions is the shopping and catering area on the upper mezzanine floor which serves both Departures and Arrivals. There is a wide choice and the terminal seems as keen to rival shopping malls as be a sophisticated transit camp. The food outlets range from the coffee and snack variety to table service meals. Food is standard stuff but generally well presented.

The whole area is known as The Village, but for those who give it a miss and go Airside to the International Departure lounge there is another impressive array of shops (with duty free prices), but the choice of catering is more limited.

The South Terminal is spacious and efficient. A decent restaurant for a relaxing meal would be a bonus for business users but that's a complaint easily levelled at many airports.